Silent auction benefits school

Christian Heritage relies on donations

Steamboat Springs  Since its inception in 1987, Steamboat Springs' Christian Heritage School has often relied on the kindness and donations from the community.

That tradition continues Friday, when the school hosts its annual silent auction fund-raiser at the Steamboat Grand Resort Hotel.

This year, the auction will be bolstered by a benefit concert by school supporter and part-time Steamboat resident Brent Rowan.

"This is our largest fund-raiser of the year," said Julie Smalley, chairperson of the school's fund-raising committee. "Without it, I can't say how we'd replace that money. It's a very large chunk of our operating budget."

Last year, the school raised $63,000 through the auction; Smalley hopes to make at least that amount this year.

"It's getting so big that we're starting to have to limit the numbers (of people) we can admit," Christian Heritage School Assistant Headmaster Betty Lockhart said.

The auction typically has about 300 items up for bidding.

"We tend to have a lot of hand-crafted items and a lot of original, creative things that are up for auction," Lockhart said.

The school's classes make many of the items, which often cause bidding wars among proud parents, Smalley said.

A live auction featuring a French canal cruise, a 50-person party at Catamount Ranch and Club, a season ski pass and two other to-be-determined items also will be part of this year's fund-raiser.

Proceeds from the auction and live entertainment will go to the school's general fund.

Community donations have played a large role in the school's history. A few years ago, more than 200 community members turned out to help frame the school's current 40,000-square-foot structure.

Donated labor, building materials and money have helped the school grow from its 10-student beginning to the current enrollment of 125 kindergarten through 12th-grade students.

Tickets to the fund-raiser cost $20. Ticket price covers food and entertainment. Only a dozen or so tickets remain, though some people who want to attend the auction will be allowed to pay at the door, Smalley said.